Check, Please!

Check, Please!
Ngozi Ukazu
First Second, Sept. 2108 288 pages
Grades 9-Up
Graphic Novel
Check Please Book 1: # Hockey

Eric Bittle feels out of his element as he begins his freshman year of college on a hockey scholarship. A former figure skater, he was recruited for his speed and mastery of skating, but is undersized and fears being checked. Bitty, as he becomes known to the team, finds acceptance as he makes friends with the other members and undertakes private practice sessions with intense team captain, Jack. Bitty becomes the team baker, making good use of the team's house stove for making pies, and worms his way into their social group with his good cheer and supportive nature. Readers see the first two years of Bitty's college experience flash by as he relates his life through an on-line baking blog and tweets. Eventually, Bitty comes out to the team to refreshing acceptance and he is allowed to be his true self, as he improves on the ice. As time marches on, so does Bitty's feelings for Jack. By the end of sophomore year Jack is about to graduate and move onto the pros. How will Bitty say goodbye? Bitty's junior year will be depicted in the next series entry, set for an as yet unknown release date.

I never thought I would enjoy a hockey book, but debut graphic novelist, Ukazu, has almost made me a fan of the sport. I'm certainly a fan of this lovable group of guys and the sweet and charming narrator, Bitty. Check, Please began as a web-comic and already has a fan base--and for good reason. The non-stop action, gentle humor, and friendly cast of characters make for an entertaining and comforting read. This team knows how to support each other. They work hard, play hard, and accept each other’s foibles and differences. The book appears to be for a younger audience, but because of the language and drinking (it IS set on a college campus) I would recommend it for older teens. The language is strong, but right on point for the way young people talk and the slang is both authentic and amusing. The confusion of navigating matters of the heart and finding your place is sensitively portrayed with enough hockey action to entertain fans of the sport. The hockey subject matter and cover will attract hockey enthusiasts and possibly guide them to be more sensitive to the differences of others. I loved hanging out with this team of guys and can't wait for the next installment, especially since readers are left with a bit of a romantic cliff-hanger.

Lives of the Musicians

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought)
Kathleen Krull
Kathryn Hewitt, Illustrator
Harcourt, 1993 96 pages
Grades 3-7
Non-Fiction

Krull offers short narrative chapters describing the lives and major works of nineteen composers/musicians arranged chronologically from Vivaldi to Woody Guthrie. With the exception of Guthrie and Scott Joplin, they are all in the classical vein and range from the "old school" (Mozart) to modern (Charles Ives). All are from the western world, two are women and only one is a person of color. That said, these are the talents that have shaped music as we now know it and set the course for our cultural cannon of classical music. Highly readable, the chapters are brief and written conversationally with fun facts that kids would be interested in (what did Beethoven eat for breakfast?). A glossary of musical terms, index, and bibliography for further reading and listening (at this point very dated) are included at the back of the volume. Interested readers can move onto Krull and Hewitt's other such titles such as The Lives of the Artists and The Lives of the Presidents for more biographical fun.

I can't believe it’s been twenty-five years since this book came out. I remember its release and loved both the subject matter and conversational writing style. This summer our reading club theme is "music" (so fun!), which led me back to this title and was pleasantly surprised to find it as fresh as when it was released in '93. The writing is high interest, lively, and fun. The full-color cartoon-style illustrations are reminiscent of the "Who Was" books, yet came out before they did. The Krull/Hewitt titles will certainly appeal to the same audience. Educational, while entertaining, readers may be inspired to listen to some of the featured composers, enriching their musical tastes and may even be inspired to try their own hands at composing. Krull manages to make figures from the past relate-able to the present and show readers that talented and famous people can be just like us--or completely batty. Humorous, yet inspiring, this book delivers the goods without ever being boring.

Inkling

Inkling
Kenneth Oppel
Knopf, Nov. 2018 240 pages
Grades 3-6
Fantasy

Out of Ethan's dad's sketchbook escapes the Inkling: a little creature made out of ink who can transform into other sizes and shapes. He (she?) arrives just in time: Dad hasn't been able to create comics since Mom died and his publisher is getting annoyed, Ethan promised to illustrate a school project and can't draw, and his special-needs sister needs a friend. Inkling helps Dad create again, helps Ethan to learn to draw, and becomes the puppy Sarah always wanted, but is taking credit for Inkling's work the ethical thing to do? Ethan's school rival, who is also the publisher's daughter, starts to suspect something is amiss and discovers the existence of Inkling. What will she do with the information? And will the family be able to function without their new little friend?

Kenneth Oppel is one of my favorite authors. The Nest was my favorite book of 2015. Inkling is quite a departure for him. Way less intense and way more whimsical, Oppel takes on grief with the introduction of a humorous and never before seen character in children's literature: an inkblot. Somehow this little inkblot, though never orally communicating, is able to display a variety of emotions and connect with both the characters and the reader. The book moves quickly, has an interesting plot and is more child-friendly than Oppel's usual fair. Moral dilemmas and family problems give the story some deceptive weight, making this book an excellent choice for book discussion or classroom use. Reluctant readers and budding artists will be a natural audience, but, really, all kids would enjoy this unusual story. I read an advanced copy, which only contained a couple of illustrations. The actual book promises to be fully illustrated, which will further broaden the audience and be in partnership with the text. Just when you think there is nothing new under the sun, a surprise is presented. Thank you, Kenneth Oppel, for pleasantly surprising this wizened old librarian.

Lily and Dunkin

Lily and Dunkin
Donna Gephart
Delacorte, 2016 352 pages
Grades 6-8
Realistic Fiction

Lily, born as a boy named Tim, wishes she could be herself, as she prepares for eighth grade. Much to her father's annoyance, she greets him outside wearing one of her mom's dresses. It is then that she meets a new boy with the unfortunate name of Norbert. Norbert, because of his Dunkin' Donuts addiction, gets re-branded by Lily as "Dunkin" and a tentative friendship is formed. Dunkin has a secret of his own. He is battling bipolar disorder and is leaving behind secrets concerning his father as he and his mom have moved from New Jersey into his grandmother's house in Florida. Because of his height, Dunkin is recruited to join the basketball team, a sport in which he has no interest or talent, and he struggles to fit in with this group of jocks and begins to play with his medication in order to tap into a competitive edge. Although his mother, sister, and best friend are supportive, Lily is dealing with convincing her dad of her true self and getting permission for hormone blockers, avoiding harassment by the school bullies, and the threat of demolition of her favorite tree. Dunkin's troubles come to a head and he finally plugs into some much needed mental health and faces the truth about his past. Will both young people find the courage to show the eighth grade world who they really are and to publicly be friends?

Told in two perspectives, Gephart tackles many important issues in one book: bullying, transgender youth, mental illness, peaceful protest, and protecting the environment. Her main message is to stand up for what is right, present yourself as who you really are and to accept others for their true selves. Definitely issue driven, this book will appeal to the graduates of Wonder and Counting by Sevens. The two narrators are written distinctly and it is never a problem to distinguish who is speaking. Parents and adults are important characters in the story and, though they are not perfect, they are pivotal in the lives of the main characters and try to pay attention to their problems and help. Sometimes the issues seem to overwhelm the story and the angst feels a bit repetitive, although these issues are not generally represented in children’s literature and their discussion is welcome. The ending gets sewed up a bit too neatly and cleanly, but the target age group will appreciate the happy ending. Lily and Dunkin feel a bit unrealistically brave and mature for thirteen, yet as characters they will give hope to other young people struggling in similar situations. An author's note at the end includes more information and resources for transgender youth and bipolar disorder. A lot of punch packed in one book, Lily and Dunkin is a reflection of what is facing some of our young people today, giving validation and understanding to young readers.

Babe the Gallant Pig

Babe the Gallant Pig
Dick King Smith
Crown, 1983 118 pages
Grades 3-6
Animal Fantasy

Farmer Hogget is reluctant to enter the pig guessing contest. After all, on his rural English farm he doesn't "keep pigs", but something about the small piglet catches his eye. After he wins he brings the little guy home, where he names him Pig and puts him in the barn. Here Pig meets a mama sheepdog, who takes him under her wing and rebrands him "Babe". Fly, the sheepdog, teaches Babe the ways of the farm. The new recruit befriends a sheep and develops a different way of herding: by being polite to them instead of nipping and treating them as if they are stupid. The sheep respond favorably to Babe and, much to Farmer Hogget's amazement, he becomes a real sheep-pig. Babe takes his position very seriously, protecting the flock on multiple occasions, finally spurring the farmer to enter him in the sheep herding competition, traditionally only open to dogs. Does the earnest sheepherder have what it takes to win the big competition or will Farmer Hogget be the laughing stock of the neighborhood?

First released in 1983, this animal-fantasy in the tradition of Charlotte's Web is still enjoyed by today's kids. The 2003 film offered a resurgence of this title and may be used to lure readers still today. Babe is a wonderful character. He tries hard, doesn't let adversity slow him down, and faces prejudice head-on, proving that pigs can do the same work as dogs--even better. Babe uses cutesy and respect to get his way, as opposed to bullying and brute force, which is a great example for today's kids. He does not accept the common misconceptions about the intelligence of sheep and gets to know them before judging, which leads to his success. Readers will enjoy the behind the scenes peek at the secret life of animals and route for Babe as he masters his craft and overcomes the odds. The reading level of this book is perfect for third graders. It is short in length and contains illustrations, which will appeal to reluctant readers. Parent warning: King-Smith, a former farmer and man of the land, uses the term "bitch" to apply to a female dog on several occasions. Today's kids may not know that term and may find its use confusing and giggle-inducing. A simple and peaceful story sure to appeal to animal lovers and a great read-aloud.

The Parker Inheritance

The Parker Inheritance
Varian Johnson
Scholastic, 2018 352 pages
Grades 4-8
Mystery

Two stories weave together to solve a mystery and heal a hurt from the past. Candice and her mother must move to Lambert, South Carolina for the summer to her deceased beloved grandmother's house. Her she befriends Brandon, a boy who is constantly bullied for being different. In the attic Candice discovers a letter sent to her grandmother with clues to a fortune left to the city of Lambert should the puzzle be solved. Grandma tried to solve the puzzle as city manager and was fired for her efforts. Now Candace and Brandon must track down the clues and dig up a painful chapter in the town’s history in order to set things right. Alternating chapters travel back to the 1950's when Lambert was segregated and Jim Crow laws were in effect. A historic secret tennis match between black and white players results in tragedy and drastic consequences. Lives are changed dramatically as a result, which leads to the current mystery and connects all of the main players by book's end.

A love letter to the Westing Game, Johnson draws upon this classic mystery for young people, while adding a layer of historic and social importance. I love a book with layers that come together by the end, such as Holes, and this is such a book. It is so satisfying once the book is closed and no threads are left dangling. Candace and Brandon are fully realized characters and their story alone would have been enough for a decent book. Johnson adds the plot from the past, creating a richer dimension and offering historic motivation for the hidden treasure. Readers will experience the Jim Crow south in all of its hateful glory and come to understand what life was like for those living through it and the tough decisions they had to make. Johnson also demonstrates that racism still exists today and also shows the struggle of kids (and adults) working out their sexual orientation, another current area of discrimination and misconception. The mystery itself is not truly solvable by the reader. Characters not previously introduced play a part and answers are discovered that cannot be worked out beforehand. This does not matter. The Westing Game is also like that and is fun to read and so satisfying that mystery readers won't care that they are discovering the answers right along with Candace and Brandon. In fact, since the reader is privy to the alternating backstory, we know more than our two puzzle solvers do. There are plenty of “ah-ha moments”, along with closure and redemption. So far this is my favorite book published this year and it is sure to win awards and land on reading lists.

Blackbird Fly

Blackbird Fly
Erin Entrada Kelly
Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2015 296 pages
Grades 5-8
Realistic Fiction

Apple Yengko knows that she would be awesome on the guitar--if only her mother would let her get one. Her deceased father must have been musical, judging from the old Beatles tape, his only existing possession, that Apple brought with her from the Philippines and has played over and over again. Her immigrant Filipino mother feels that music is a distraction from the business of succeeding in school and doesn't understand why Apple doesn't have more friends. As for Apple, she struggles with fitting in. She feels that her mother is too foreign and hates that they are poor, eat "weird" food and that she has Asian features. To make matters worse, she finds herself added to the school's informal "Dog Log": a list of the ugliest girls in the middle school. Naturally, Apple is shattered. Her best friends drift away in order for her low social status to not rub off on them. Reluctantly, Apple befriends a new boy in school and then another Dog Log lister and slowly learns to not define her worth through the eyes of others. An unfortunate decision in attempting to obtain a guitar blows up in Apple's face. She pays the consequences and then finally starts to realize her dream by following an ethical and honest path.

Through chapters subtitled by Beatles’ songs and Apple's first person narration, we learn of the struggle of a young immigrant girl and the transformation and healing power of music. Kelly shows middle readers the motivation behind bullying and that the victims are not alone. The bullying demonstrated in the book, though very true to middle school life, especially in this age of social media, may be a bit strong for an elementary audience, especially the racial slurs delivered by the mean kids towards Apple. Themes include finding your passion and pursuing it, despite opposition, accepting who you are, second chances, making the right decision even if it’s the longer road, the importance of finding nice friends, and, of course, that music, especially the Beatles, can be life-changing. The characters are well developed and we truly get to know the "real" Apple, warts and all. Appropriate for both girls and boys, this book reads quickly and will appeal to a wide audience. It features an amazing teacher and will work well in a classroom setting. I have heard so much about this book, even before the author won the 2018 Newbery award, and felt like I had read it, but hadn't. It was even better than I thought it would be and it made me very emotional. Give to fans of Wonder and Out of My Mind. Playing the The Beatles saved my life in middle school, so I completely can relate to Apple and heartily applaud her great taste in music.